It’s all-new for de Souza in the WTCC

Filipe de Souza will be entering the unknown when he makes his FIA World Touring Car Championship after a three-year absence in China this weekend.

Macau-based de Souza last raced in the WTCC in 2014 but won’t get to sample a TC1 World Touring Car until Free Practice 1, which gets underway at 09h00 local time on Saturday with live coverage on the Eurosport Player and at FIAWTCC.com.

And it’s not just his LADA Vesta WTCC that de Souza will be getting used to with team (RC Motorsport) and track (Ningbo International Speedpark) also marking unchartered territory for the 40-year-old, who has 20 WTCC starts to his name.

“I feel very happy, excited and nervous” de Souza said. “I want to thank François [Ribeiro] for this opportunity to bring me back. Everything is new for me, the team, the crew and the track for everyone. I didn’t have the chance to drive the car. I will have first practice tomorrow. I will talk to the engineer and find out as soon as possible how the car is working. I will try my best.”